After watching what had unfolded outside the building, Luo Yu let out another lazy yawn.
He was just considering whether to rest his head on the desk for a short nap when a voice came from the classroom doorway.
"Yukinoshita, come here a moment."
At the sound of the call, quite a few students turned their heads. It was Shizuka Hiratsuka—their Japanese language teacher.
Though only three days had passed since the start of term, the tall, black-haired teacher in her white lab coat had already won over many students with her straightforward personality and excellent teaching ability.
Hearing her name, Yukino Yukinoshita rose from her seat and stepped out of the classroom.
Luo Yu glanced over briefly. It was probably about the club matter. Without sufficient members, no club could be established, and Hiratsuka-sensei's support would be indispensable.
Yawning once more, Luo Yu slumped forward onto his desk and closed his eyes.
Without Ranni beside him, school felt unbearably dull.
Five minutes later, Yukino Yukinoshita returned from her conversation with Shizuka Hiratsuka, a faint trace of frustration on her face.
She also noticed that Luo Yu was resting quietly, clearly asleep.
After a brief look, she retrieved her textbook and began reading while contemplating what Hiratsuka-sensei had just told her.
The afternoon classes passed as usual for Luo Yu—spent largely absorbed in his own work.
The moment the dismissal bell rang, he packed his bag without delay and left the classroom.
After stepping through the school gates, he searched for nearby shopping malls on his phone and headed toward the bus stop.
While waiting for the bus, he spotted Miko Yotsuya and Hana Yurikawa running toward the stop together.
He gave them a brief glance, then boarded first.
Finding an empty seat, Luo Yu continued scrolling through his phone, reviewing a checklist in his notes app to ensure he hadn't forgotten anything.
Though Ranni's body was only a temporary vessel, it was outwardly indistinguishable from that of a human. That meant she would need a full wardrobe.
Underwear, skirts, trousers, outerwear—everything had to be prepared. At least three or four complete sets.
As for sizing, Luo Yu himself had shaped the body. Naturally, he knew the exact measurements.
He would also need to buy her a phone so they could stay in contact when apart.
While he was concentrating, Hana Yurikawa, seated diagonally behind him, tugged at her friend's sleeve and whispered excitedly, "Miko, Miko, did you see? That guy is really handsome!"
Miko Yotsuya nodded. When they had run over earlier, she had briefly made eye contact with him.
Hana Yurikawa continued enthusiastically, "I wonder if he's a senior or a freshman like us? He's not just handsome—his aura feels special!"
"Does it?" Miko replied vaguely.
Hana shot her a look. "You're not interested in these things, so of course you don't notice. Unlike me—I've been observing the whole time!"
Miko smiled faintly. "So, Hana, is this love at first sight? Why don't you go ask for his contact information?"
"Huh?" Hana's face instantly turned bright red as she waved her hands frantically. "No, no, no! I'll just admire from afar. There's no way someone like him would be interested in me!"
Hearing that, Miko lowered her gaze—toward the undeniably impressive curves Hana possessed.
With that figure, what guy wouldn't notice you?
As for herself…
It wasn't that she had nothing—but compared to Hana, the difference was stark.
Still, one thing did lift Miko's spirits.
On this bus ride, she had yet to see a single wraith.
Fifteen minutes later, the bus arrived at the mall stop.
Luo Yu stepped off and walked straight toward the entrance.
Behind him, Miko Yotsuya and Hana Yurikawa also disembarked.
Watching his back, Hana clutched her friend's arm excitedly. "Miko, Miko, is he going to the mall too?"
Being shaken repeatedly, Miko sighed. "So… are you actually going to talk to him or not?"
"Hehehe—no need. Right now, the mochi is more important!"
With that, Hana dragged Miko toward a shop outside the mall that specialized in her favorite sweet treats.
Luo Yu had naturally noticed the two girls getting off the bus as well, but he paid them no further attention. He entered the mall and headed straight for the women's clothing floor.
The moment he stepped out of the escalator, he was greeted by rows of brand-name boutiques.
There were male customers present, but nearly all of them were accompanying female partners. A lone young man like Luo Yu was an uncommon sight.
Still, Luo Yu had faced far greater battlefields than this. Unfazed by the curious glances from nearby girls, he walked directly into a popular clothing store.
A sales assistant spotted him—handsome and alone—and her eyes lit up as she hurried over.
"Welcome! Is there anything I can help you with?"
After briefly surveying the displayed garments, Luo Yu replied calmly, "I'd like to buy some clothes for my girlfriend. Do you have any new arrivals you'd recommend?"
Ah, so he was buying a gift for his girlfriend!
The sales assistant immediately understood—and felt a pang of envy. The clothes in this store were not cheap.
Though Luo Yu wore a school uniform and looked like a student, she wasted no time leading him around and enthusiastically introducing the latest styles.
After looking through the selections, Luo Yu chose several long dresses in solid colors—five in total.
Anything too bright or flamboyant wouldn't suit Ranni.
Once the items were packaged, Luo Yu paid smoothly by card. Under the assistant's cheerful farewell, he moved on to the next store.
After visiting several boutiques in succession, the number of shopping bags in his hands steadily increased.
Finally, in a lingerie shop—under the particularly enthusiastic guidance of another sales assistant—Luo Yu purchased several expensive sets of underwear.
It was a strange reality, he reflected: the less fabric involved, the higher the price.
With both hands now full of bags, Luo Yu entered a restroom stall and transferred all the purchases into the personal storage space he had gained after becoming Tarnished.
"Ah… much lighter."
Exhaling in relief, he stepped out of the stall and retrieved a staff tipped with a sapphire.
The Carian Glintstone Staff.
Since he had given the Carian Regal Scepter to Ranni, this would serve as his replacement.
He had always favored this staff, especially for enhancing Carian sword sorceries.
He pointed it toward a cursed object crouched in the corner.
Magic surged from the tip of the staff.